Bay of Plenty Steamers coach Kevin Schuler says he is impressed with the form being shown in this year's Baywide rugby.
Schuler, who has taken over the role for this season's ITM Cup, says players at club level have been putting their hands up for selection.
The former Chiefs assistant coach said he had been to several club games this season to check the local talent.
"Obviously we've still got a few holes to fill [in the Steamers squad].
"We've got a chunk of players obviously already contracted and carried over from last year and we're happy with the players who have made a commitment to stick around and play with the Bay.
"But we're also pretty keen to keep that pathway from club players who are playing well to have that opportunity as well," Schuler said.
"So we've been watching the games regularly since the club season started."
One such example is Te Puke first-five Nick McCashin.
Formerly from Rotorua, McCashin has shown outstanding form this season.
"We've re-signed Nick, so we're pretty excited. He's been a dominant standout player in club rugby."
After eight rounds Te Puke are clear leaders in this year's PGG Wrightson Baywide premier rugby, but the battle for the next three positions are not so clear.
With 37 points and still undefeated, Te Puke stand alone at the top of the Baywide premiership table.
But six teams are fighting it out for the next three positions. Tauranga Sports sit in second place on 30 points but they play host to Eastern Bay giants Opotiki at Tauranga Domain tomorrow. Opotiki currently round out the top four with 25 points.
Opotiki have been impressive to date but will be truly tested against a fired up Tauranga side who were lucky to steal a win in the last minute against Rotoiti last weekend.
Te Puna have gone from strength to strength in the last two rounds. Sitting in third with 26 points, they will travel to Te Puke to take on the competition leaders at Murray Salt Stadium.
Te Puna have shown they are a team in form and will need every ounce to topple Te Puke, who appear to be growing week by week.
If you want to know how much can change in a month, just ask Rotoiti and Whakarewarewa. This time last month the two Central Bay teams were undefeated and challenging for a top two position - now they both sit equal fifth with 22 points, both having failed to pick up a win in four weeks.
However, it's been a combination of either injury, a lack of player availability or just plain bad luck that has contributed to their respective losses.
Both teams will be looking to return to some winning form with Rotoiti travelling to Greerton to take on Marist, while Whaka supporters will be travelling to Blake Park to take on the Mount.
Meanwhile, Waikite will host Rangataua at Bellvue Rd. Both sides have struggled this year, although Rangataua will be feeling confident after picking up their first win of the season last week against Greerton.
It is congested at the top of the table in Division One, with six teams battling it out for the top spot.
Paroa and Rangiuru sit equal first with 34 points, Kahukura and Te Teko are on 28 points and Whakatane Marist and Ngongotaha on 25 and 20 points respectively.
Ngongotaha will host division leaders Paroa in Ngongotaha, Rangiuru will travel to Whakatane to play Marist, in a local derby Kahukura will host Marist St Michaels, Te Teko will take on Reporoa at Dunderdale Park and Poroporo will host cellar dwellers Ruatoki in Poroporo.
PGG Wrightson Baywide Rugby draw for May 19 2012:
Premier (2.45pm) - Waikite v Rangataua, Bellvue Road; Greerton Marist v Rotoiti, Greerton; Mount Maunganui v Whakarewarewa, Blake Park; Te Puke Sports v Te Puna, Murray Salt Stadium; Tauranga Sports v Opotiki, Tauranga Domain.
Points table: Te Puke 37, Tauranga Sports 30, Te Puna 26, Sports Opotiki 25, Rotoiti 22, Whakarewarewa 22, Mt Maunganui 21, Waikite 7, Greerton Marist 6, Rangataua 5.
Division One (2.45pm): Whakatane Marist v Rangiuru, Rugby Park Whakatane; Kahukura v Marist St Michaels, Kuirau Park; Poroporo v Ruatoki, Poroporo ; Ngongotaha v Paroa, Ngongotaha Domain; Te Teko v Reporoa, Dunderdale Park.
Points table: Paroa 34, Rangiuru 34, Kahukura 28, Te Teko 28, Whakatane Marist 25, Ngongotaha 20, Marist St Michaels 15, Poroporo 10, Reporoa 6, Ruatoki 2.
Colts: Te Puke Sports v Te Puna Murray, Salt Stadium; Rangataua v Greerton Marist, Te Ariki Park; Ruatoki v Marist St Michaels, Tuhoe Park; Mount Maunganui v Waikite, Blake Park; Whakarewarewa v Rotoiti, Puarenga Park; Kahukura v Opotiki, Kuirau Park; Tauranga Sports - bye.
Points table: Mt Maunganui 38, Te Puna 30, Greerton Marist 29, Tauranga Sport 29, Ruatoki 23, Te Puke Sports 21, Waikite 20, Sports Opotiki 15, Rangataua 14, Marist St Michaels 8, Whakarewarewa 8, Rotoiti 6, Kahukura 1.